Biographical Sketch of

Ira Butler

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 718


Ira Butler is engaged in farming and stock raising in the town of Mackford, Green Lake County, his home being 
situated on section 22.  He has resided in Wisconsin during its whole existence as a State, and was two years 
a resident under territorial Government.  He has therefore been a witness of almost its entire growth and 
development, and has been an active participant in the changes and progress that have been carried on.  He 
was born in Shelby County, Ind., on the 1st of March, 1838, and is a son of William and Eunice (Stone) Butler.  
When he was a lad of eight years, the family left their old home and came to Green Lake County, where his life 
has since been passed.  He was reared to manhood upon his father's farm and acquired such education as the 
schools of that early day afforded.  The school-house was built of logs, the seats were made of slabs, the 
windows were but small apertures in the logs, and an immense fireplace occupied one end of the building.  
His primary education, however, has been largely supplemented by reading and observation, and he is now 
one of the well-informed citizens of the community.  By experience, he has gained a knowledge of men and 
the ways of the world which could never have been learned from text books. 
 
In the autumn of 1859, Mr. Butler was united in marriage with Miss Alice Westover, a daughter of Austin 
and Mary Westover, both of whom were natives of the Empire State.  Mrs. Butler was born in Michigan in 
1870, and of her marriage one child was born, Eunice, who died in infancy.
 
Mr. Butler is one of the leading farmers of the town of Mackford, where he owns a fine farm of 260 acres 
of land.  It is highly cultivated and improved, and the neat and tasty residence, with its entire surroundings, 
indicates the care and supervision of an industrious and energetic manager.  In that case appearances are not 
deceitful, for as such his neighbors always speak of him.  He has not only made for himself and wife a 
comfortable home, but has aided in the upbuilding of the community.  He shared in the hardships and 
difficulties so common on the frontier, and aided in the development of the wild land into beautiful farms.  
At the time of his arrival the Indians were frequent visitors in the settlement, but their wigwams have long 
since been replaced by palatial residences, and towns and villages have grown into cities; the stage coach 
has been superseded by the railroads which cross and recross the county, and the telegraph and telephone 
which have been introduced permit one to address a message or converse with friends hundreds of miles away.  
Mr. Butler has had the honor of not only witnessing the marvelous growth but has also been a participant in 
the noble work, and surely deserves a representation in this volume.
 
 




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